JUDGES WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES WILL RECEIVE HELP, TOP JUDGE PROMISES.

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Chief Justice Martha Koome with newly installed High Court Presiding Eric Judge Ogola.

By SAM ALFAN.

Tackling Judges mental health issues is among the priority issues newly appointed Principal Judge of the High Court Eric Ogola will take up.

While accepting his appointment as Principal Judge of the High Court, Justice ogola outlined mental health as one of the most crucial goals of his leadership.

The judge said he will advocate for the establishment of a Department of Counseling and Psychology within the Directorate of Human Resources to handle mental health challenges.

Justice Ogola also said the office of a retired judge is provided in the Constitution and that efforts must be made to have an exit plan for retiring Judges.

He said these Judges must be adequately facilitated when clearing and separating from the institution. Post-retirement, these Judges can still serve the institution as mentors and trainers.

Tackling the perennial problem of case backlog and delays in resolution of cases is also a priority issue the new Principal Judge will take on.

With high expectations from Chief Justice Martha Koome, Judge Eric Ogola will make or break the donkeys back if he tackles the recurrent challenge of case backlog and delays in cases resolution.

Justice Ogola also promised promote the social welfare of judges outside work.

He said as the Principal Judge, one of his objectives will be to promote collegiality not only between the Judges of the High Court but also with the Judges of other courts.

“In particular, as a foster for this unity, I will agitate for equal opportunity in the consideration for appointment to the Court of Appeal from the High Court, Environment and Land Court, and Employment and Labor Relations Court, as a matter of right,” added Judge Ogola.

“The role of the Principal Judge cannot be understated. For me to succeed, I need my colleagues, judges of the High Court to work together by each being a leader in their own capacity,” said Ogola.

Raising concern with Judges welfare, Justice Ogola said that health issues in one way or another restrain them from effectively carrying out their extraneous duties. While he appreciate the medical insurance cover that is in place, the same is inadequate.

“Some of the Judges who serve this Court are of an advance age and may suffer from illnesses that require specialized treatment,” added Ogola.

He said he will engage the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary and push for enhancement of judicial officers’ medical insurance cover both for outpatient and inpatient.

Chief Justice Martha Koome while congratulating him said she was confident that the Principal Judge will continue to be at the frontline and to take the driver’s seat in leading the High Court towards the attainment of this target.

CJ Koome said tackling the problem of case backlog and delay in resolution of cases demands that we rethink how we manage our Courts in fundamental ways.

“STAJ allows and indeed encourages localised and court-based innovations geared towards enhancing Court performance. I therefore encourage all of you to support the Principal Judge to re-examine our practices and re-engineer them to improve the efficiency of the High Court,” said CJ Koome.

She assured Judge Ogola that she will support him and the High Court to realise his vision and the overall Judiciary vision during his tenure as Principal Judge.

“As we continue to navigate the perils of our modern world and to seek ways to make justice a universal and realisable value, let us continue to explore new ways of serving mankind in this sacred duty of judging and judgeship,” said CJ.

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